PROFICIENCY

Hokitika Guardian, 19 April 1929, Page 3

PROFICIENCY

THE SPELLING TEST.

DUNEDIN, April 17. A discussion took place at the mectng of the Otago Education Board to-

clay regarding the spelling test for tiior proficiency examination. The subject arose as a result of a complaint made by Mr Dyke, the parent of a girl who had failed in the test. My Dyke recently wrote to the Board and the Board, in forwarding his letter to the Minister, appended the following comment by the chairman: I beg to differ. Tt seems to me a ridiculous idea that the value of the correct spelling of a word us something like four-fifths of one, while three marks are deducted if it is. spelt wrong.

Senior Inspector Stuckey: There were pupils last year who obtained proficiency with absolutely no marks for spelling. Mr J. Mitchell said he was aware of that, hut the fact remained that they still allowed 25 points for spelling, and they required over 60 per cent, correct to get any marks at all. Senior-Inspector Stuckey said that •was not correct. The discussion was on wrong lines. The marks for spelling were 20. The chairman: The test is on 25 words.

Senior-Inspector Stuckey explained that the marks for spelling were 20, and the other five were for composition.

The chairman : The fact remains that four-fifths of one is the marking for the correct spelling of a word, and that three marks are deducted if it is spelt wrong.

Senior-Inspector Stuckey: Two and a-half.

He read the spelling tost to the Board, and members agreed that while the words were such as a. Standard VI. pupil might reasonably lie expected to have met with during his school career, vet they were nearly all of a “catchy* nature and a veritable pitfall to a pooi speller. At to-day’s meeting of the Board tlie Minister’s reply was received. It stated: “The tests in spelling have been carefully perused, and it is not considered that a disproportionate number of the words would prevent difficulty to the average Standard VT. pupil. Further experience has shown that to mark the spelling tost more leniently .than at present would permit of an unduly high percentage of marks in this subject. The aim of the test in the subjects for a proficiency certificate is to obtain a pass standard which represents a standard of good attainment in the subjects of Standard YT.” The Minister added that it was unfortunate that Mr Dyke’s daughter appeared to have found difficulty in the test for spelling, but he did not think that the method of examination iii this subject was at fault. On the motion of the Hon Mr Fleming it was unanimously, resolved to express disagreement with the contention of the Department down to the word “subject.”